Determination of Biogenic Amines in Cheese Using Simultaneous Derivatization and Microextraction Method Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Microwave-assisted extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as a sensitive and efficient method was applied to extract and determine four biogenic amines (BAs) in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. Carrez solutions were used for the sedimentation of proteins. Effective factors on the performance of microextraction were studied and optimized. The proposed method showed good linear ranges from 5 to 500 ng mL^?1, with the coefficients of determination higher than 0.9929. Average recoveries were between 97 and 103%. Limits of detection for all analyzed BAs ranged from 5.9 to 14.0 ng g^?1, and limits of quantitation ranged between 19.7 and 46.2 ng g^?1. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method is simple, fast, accurate, and precise and gives low detection limits for investigating trace amounts of BAs in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. The levels of four BAs were determined in five Lighvan cheese samples. Cadaverine was found as prevailing amine in the cheese samples. Putrescine, tyramine, and histamine were present at the second, third, and fourth highest levels, respectively.     

Tributylammonium Halochromates/silica Gel:Simple Reagents for Oxidative Coupling of Thiols to Symmetrical Disulfides

New orange solid tributylammonium halochromates, (C₄H₉)₃N⁺CrO₃X^?, TBAXC (X=F, Cl) are easily synthesized by the reaction of tributylammonium fluoride and chloride with CrO₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio in the presence of HF and HCl. Tributylammonium halochromates(VI) are versatile reagent for the effective and selective oxidation of organic substrates. Silica gel supported TBAFC and TBACC are versatile reagents for the effective and selective oxidation of organic substrates, in particular, thiols, under mild conditions. Considerable improvements are observed in the presence of the absorbent, making the work‐up much more convenient.     

TiO2 as a Reusable Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones under Solvent‐Free Conditions

An efficient solvent‐free method for the synthesis of various 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones using TiO₂ as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst is described. Compared to known methods, satisfactory results are obtained with excellent yields, short reaction times, and simplicity in the experimental procedure.     

Benign synthesis of carboxamide ligands,H2Me2bqb and H2Me2bpb. Preparation,characterization and electrochemistry of Ni(II) complexes: The crystal structure of [Ni(Me2bqb)]

A novel and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of H₂Me₂bqb and H₂Me₂bpb using ionic liquid as an environmentally benign reaction medium has been developed, eliminating the need for the pyridine as a toxic solvent. The Ni(II) complex of the dianionic ligand Me₂bqb²⁻, [Me₂bqb²⁻ = 1,2-bis(quinoline-2-carboxamide)-4,5-dimethyl-benzene dianion], has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods, and the crystal and molecular structure of [Ni(Me₂bqb)] (1), has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex exhibits distorted square-planar NiN₄ coordination geometry with two short and two long Ni–N bonds (Ni–N ∼1.85 and ∼1.96 Å, respectively). The electrochemical behavior of [Ni(Me₂bqb)] (1), has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and compared with the analogous complex, [Ni(Me₂bpb)] (2).     

Metallation of tetradentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Schiff base with Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II): synthesis,characterization and formation constants measurement

Four Schiff base ligands, salabza-H₂ = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine, were synthesized by condensation of one mole of 2-aminobenzylamine and two moles of salicylaldehyde and/or two moles of substituted salicylaldehyde (5-OMe, 5-Br, 5-NO₂). All the four Schiff bases and their Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes are characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The formation constants and the Gibbs free energies were measured spectrophotometrically for 1:1 complexes in methanol in constant ionic strength (I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³ NaClO₄) and at 25°C. The data refinement was carried out with the SQUAD program. The trend of formation constants of H₂L¹ with M(II) follows the order: Mn(II) (3.97) < Zn(II) (4.30) < Co(II) (4.89) < Cu(II) (5.73)     

Vibration analysis of nanorings using nonlocal continuum mechanics and shear deformable ring theory

In this article, we use shear deformable ring theory (SDRT) for the analysis of free in-plane vibration of nanorings based on nonlocal elasticity theory. The equations of motion of the nanoring are derived for the aforementioned problem by considering the small scale effect. Analytical solutions for the natural frequencies of the nanorings are presented. It is shown that the nonlocal effects play an important role in the vibration of nanorings and cannot be neglected. The effects of the small scale on the natural frequencies considering various parameters such as the radius of the nanoring, the thickness of the nanoring and mode numbers are investigated.     

Errorless and errorful learning modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation

Background

Caspase-3 is one of the most downstream enzymes activated in the apoptotic pathway. In caspase-3 deficient mice, loss of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion cells coincide closely with hearing loss. In contrast with the auditory system, details of the vestibular phenotype have not been characterized. Here we report the vestibular phenotype and inner ear anatomy in the caspase-3 deficient (Casp3 ^-/- ) mouse strain.

Results

Average ABR thresholds of Casp3 ^-/- mice were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to Casp3 ^+/- mice and Casp3 ^+/+ mice at 3 months of age. In DPOAE testing, distortion product 2F1-F2 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Casp3 ^-/- mice, whereas Casp3 ^+/- and Casp3 ^+/+ mice showed normal and comparable values to each other. Casp3 ^-/- mice were hyperactive and exhibited circling behavior when excited. In lateral canal VOR testing, Casp3 ^-/- mice had minimal response to any of the stimuli tested, whereas Casp3 ^+/- mice had an intermediate response compared to Casp3 ^+/+ mice. Inner ear anatomical and histological analysis revealed gross hypomorphism of the vestibular organs, in which the main site was the anterior semicircular canal. Hair cell numbers in the anterior- and lateral crista, and utricle were significantly smaller in Casp3 ^-/- mice whereas the Casp3 ^+/- and Casp3 ^+/+ mice had normal hair cell numbers.

Conclusions

These results indicate that caspase-3 is essential for correct functioning of the cochlea as well as normal development and function of the vestibule.     

Growth and investigation of antifungal properties of ZnO nanorod arrays on the glass

In this study, we have investigated the antifungal activity of ZnO nanorods prepared by the chemical solution method against Candida albicans. In the study, Zinc oxide nanorods have been deposited on glass substrates using the chemical solution method. The as-grown samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed zinc oxide nanorods grown in (0 0 2) orientation. The antifungal results indicated that ZnO nanorod arrays exhibit stable properties after two months and play an important role in the growth inhibitory of Candida albicans.     

Dust ion-acoustic shock waves due to dust charge fluctuation in a superthermal dusty plasma

The nonlinear propagation of dust ion-acoustic (DIA) shock waves is studied in a charge varying dusty plasma with electrons having kappa velocity distribution. We use hot ions with equilibrium streaming speed and a fast superthermal electron charging current derived from orbit limited motion (OLM) theory. It is found that the presence of superthermal electrons does not only significantly modify the basic properties of shock waves, but also causes the existence of shock profile with only positive potential in such plasma with parameter ranges corresponding to Saturn?s rings. It is also shown that the strength and steepness of the shock waves decrease with increase of the size of dust grains and ion temperature.     

A new multiobjective allocator of capacitor banks and distributed generations using a new investigated differential evolution

This article has investigated a new multiobjective allocation of optimal sizing and sitting of distributed generation (DG) units and capacitor banks in simultaneous mode to improve reliability and reduce energy losses. The proposed method consists of four objectives, that is, cost of energy not supplied, system average interruption duration index, costs of energy loss and investment. A novel structure differential evolution has been suggested to solve this nonlinear complex problem and its results are compared with related values of genetic algorithm and simple differential evolutionary algorithm. In addition to the novel objective function, the other contribution of this article is proposing a new model for load and energy cost. Three types of DGs, that is, wind turbine, solar cell, and diesel generator have been used in placement process. To verify the comprehensiveness of the proposed function, three scenarios have been introduced: scenario i: first, placement of DGs, then capacitor banks, scenario ii: first, placement of capacitor banks, and then DGs, and scenario iii: simultaneous placement of DGs and capacitor banks. Simulations have been carried out on one part of practical distribution network in Metropolitan Tabriz in North West of Iran. The results of simulations have been discussed and analyzed using the five novel indices. The obtained simulation results using proposed function shows that the simultaneous placement of DGs and capacitor banks results in more reduction of the energy losses and increase improvements of reliability indices as well as voltage profile. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 40–54, 2014